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With a dozen draft picks and 23 rookies on the roster, a popular label being placed on the 2011 Redskins, is that this is ‘a rebuilding year.’

While this phrase carries multiple connotations, head coach Mike Shanahan rejected the classification in his Saturday afternoon press conference.

“I never talk about anything as ‘rebuilding,” he said. “When you use the term ‘rebuilding,’ that’s kind of an excuse for not winning. So you always believe you can win.”

So far, Shanahan has led his young team to a 2-1 preseason record, with three solid showings by the starting units. Much is still yet to be determined about the layout of this roster, but the coaching staff doesn’t appear to be making excuses for performance.